Words

Start reading this by taking a moment to pray for what God may reveal to you through the scriptures used and the words that He speaks through me. The words and thoughts are His, I'm only a vessel.

Words are a funny thing. They can have so many different effects on people whether they are the one speaking or listening (unless of course, you are rubber and the person speaking is glue). A common saying I heard a lot in school was "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me." The truth about that phrase is that it is far from the truth.  I've been hurt by words way more times than I've been hurt by sticks and stones. Words are the most common way that people use to hurt others. Sarcasm doesn't translate well with sticks and stones. I am almost completely certain that you cannot sarcastically hit someone in the face with a rock. When someone wants to hurt you, more often than not, the first option will be with words. And it hurts. Yet, words can also be used to lift people up and show them how much you care, and more importantly, how much Christ cares. Words are two-sided that way.

Recently, I spent a day fasting from talking (most people were very happy about that) and God revealed a good bit to me that day. Aside from my friend Keaton's theory that I just wanted a good excuse to play charades for an entire day, hopefully God was able to communicate to others the reasoning behind what He had put on my heart. It isn't about the words that we say, but about what God chooses to speak through us. HOWEVER, words are precious. When we choose to speak, we need to be careful of how we are portraying ourselves. Are we portraying someone who is sarcastic and insincere (I struggle with that more than anyone), or are we portraying Christ? We all struggle with the words that we say. James 3:2 says, "For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body."

The fact that we all struggle with our words, doesn't necessarily present a challenge, but a blessing. What is there to be ashamed of? We all struggle with it, so why not be open and honest about it with each other? Let us lift each other up and encourage each other to use our words for divine purposes, not for the sake of simply communicating how we feel about politics or basketball (Yes, an Alabama fan just referenced a sport that isn't football). Asa whole, we as Christians are letting our words go to waste. You may not always be tearing someone down, but we definitely aren't building each other up as we should be. The way we should use our words is laid out in Ephesians 4:15: "But speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head - Christ -"

When we speak we are to speak the truth of the Gospel, and we are to do so in love. God chooses to speak through us for a reason. The world knows how hard it is to tame the tongue, and when we allow God to give us the strength to do so, it sends a message. It sends a message about the power of the cross and the power of the Holy Spirit. Please, do not let let your words go to waste. Don't just communicate using superficial small-talk, but speak the truth of the Gospel into the lives of those around you. My prayer is that we let God reveal His power through us, lifting each other up as the Holy Spirit fills our hearts and pours out through our mouths. Let it be your prayer as well.